Ukraine: “A shell hit our house, exploding just four meters away from our bed” ‒ Olena

Olena and Oleksii* are from a little village in Kherson Oblast, south of Ukraine. They used to grow crops and berries to sell them right from the harvest. “Back home, we had a greenhouse and hives,” says Oleksii.

Just a few months before the Russian Federation military offensive launched on 24 February 2022, the man fell sick with cancer. Little did he know that in addition to complicated treatment, his home would be shelled severely—the house crumbled around the spouse, and they found themselves trapped beneath the rubble.

“It was chaos—the walls crumbled, and the shock wave rattled everything. The concussion from the blast had left us disoriented, unable to grasp what was unfolding around us. We lost the teeth in the blast being hit by the falling debris and rubble,” says Olena.

As the shells thundered outside, neighbours rushed to the aid of the couple, dragging them down into the cellar that served as a shelter. That is where Olena and Oleksii spent seven months before leaving their hometown.

The village was beyond Ukraine’s government control. Over time, it became more and more isolated from the outside world due to the blocking of roads by the military. The villagers pooled together whatever resources they could find to feed themselves.

“I was delivering bread because I could walk. There was another old lady who helped me,” shares Olena. “And so, that became our reality. Seven long months in the cellar, scavenging for sustenance to survive.”

Escaping the horrors of war

The couple left Kherson Oblast on September 2^nd, 2022, to finally reach Ukraine’s capital Kyiv two weeks later. Along the way, they encountered almost 30 checkpoints marking the contact line and came under fire.

“When we moved into the apartment in Kyiv, it felt like the community embraced us with open arms. The neighbours brought us clothes, and one family even gave us an old TV. But also, the cash grant for medical treatment from DRC was invaluable,” shares Oleksii.

With the funding from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, DRC managed to address several critical medical needs for the spouse. This included dental treatment to replace the missing teeth due to the shelling, as well as other essential medical services. Additionally, Oleksii was able to undergo the oncological examination he urgently needed.

“Neurological treatment and medications are very expensive. Without the vital support we received, we would never afford the treatments,” says Oleksii.

Seeking peace in helping others

After settling into the new surroundings and undergoing medical treatment, Olena found a job at a rehabilitation centre for individuals with mental disabilities. Though her background was in medicine, it had been years since she practised. Now she has to immerse herself in the intricacies of social work and caregiving.

“I am so happy with the new job. As I am new to the sphere, I need to undergo specific training,” says Olena.

Leading us through the doors of the rehabilitation centre, she reveals her daily haven, where she devotes much of her time to her clients. For Olena her clients at the centre are more than just individuals seeking help—they are like a big family.

“I cannot just throw in the towel; I must keep going, for my family, my husband, for those who look up to me,” shares Olena.

Currently, the couple is preparing documents for state benefits. Firstly, they want to receive compensation from the state for their destroyed property. In addition, because they were injured in the missile explosion, they are also entitled to increased monthly disability payments.

*Names were changed for confidentiality purposes.